On October 26, the S28 Season 5-Star unit \[Shorn Ones] will be released.
This unit isn't built around charging in for a single strike. Its core is switching combat rhythm based on "Sharpness". At high Sharpness, the Shorn Ones deal Burst damage with Slashing Damage and Bleed. As Sharpness drops, they gradually shift to Blunt Damage and Control effects. Even then, the Shorn Ones don't rely on Blunt Damage to deliver the finishing blow. They mainly use Control to disrupt the enemy's rhythm.
In short, they are a 5-Star infantry unit that can fight head-on, apply Sustained Suppression, and grow tougher as the battle wears on.
I. Unit Role
The Shorn Ones excel at applying pressure on the front lines.
With Buckler Block, growing damage reduction, and some Heal ability, they are far more than a flanking unit.
Their playstyle comes down to two lines:
When sharp, they tear through enemy lines with Slashing Damage and Bleed.
When blunt, they keep fighting with Control and damage reduction.
This makes the Shorn Ones a great fit for Warlords who enjoy frontal advances, holding the line, and brawling.
II. Core Mechanics
The Shorn Ones' most important mechanic is \[Serrated Macuahuitl].
At high Sharpness, attacks mainly deal Slashing Damage, and skill hits stack Bleed. This is the Shorn Ones' main damage window.
As Sharpness drops, their damage gradually shifts to Blunt and their Control is enhanced, giving allies better follow-up opportunities.
Once Sharpness is fully depleted, the Shorn Ones no longer rely on Bleed alone, switching to Blunt Damage and Control suppression.
In addition, \[Perfect Sacrifice] grants the Shorn Ones a stackable damage reduction effect for each unit member who falls in battle.
The fiercer the battle, the harder the surviving Shorn Ones become to deal with.
III. Skill Breakdown
\[Blood Sacrifice]
This is the Shorn Ones' engage skill.
The front rank raises shields to meet the enemy while the rear rank follows up with a fierce assault. Use it to push into enemy lines or exploit gaps in the enemy formation.
When paired with the exclusive Doctrine \[Shorn Ones: Offering], the skill grants immunity to Control effects while attacking, making engagements more reliable.
\[Solar Storm]
This is the Shorn Ones' core damage skill.
The Shorn Ones charge freely at the target, sweeping through enemy groups with their weapons. When struck, they Counterstrike, dealing Control and heavy damage.
This skill is ideal for AoE damage against dense enemy groups and for turning the tide in frontal brawls.
\[Blade of No Return]
This is the Shorn Ones' sustain and rhythm reset skill.
On use, it restores Sharpness and some Health.
When Sharpness is low, or when you need to deal Slashing Damage and Bleed again, \[Blade of No Return] is the key to getting back into your damage rhythm.
IV. Exclusive Doctrines
\[Shorn Ones: Offering]
Effect: \[Blood Sacrifice] grants immunity to Control effects while attacking.
Ideal for proactive engagements and reliable entries.
If Warlords are worried about being interrupted by Control while charging in, this Doctrine is especially useful.
\[Shorn Ones: War Marks]
Effect: Increases Block and reduces damage taken.
Ideal for holding the front line and sustained combat.
If you want the Shorn Ones to hold firmer and suffer fewer casualties, consider this Doctrine first.
\[Shorn Ones: Serrated Edge]
Effect: \[Solar Storm] attack targets +1, increased Block break.
Ideal for AoE damage and shield breaking.
Against tightly packed enemies or many Block-reliant units, this Doctrine's offensive value really shows.
V. Best Scenarios
The Shorn Ones excel in the following combat situations:
First, frontal pressure.
With Block, damage reduction, and Heal, they can keep applying pressure on the front line.
Second, dense brawls.
\[Solar Storm] sweeps through enemy groups and combines with Bleed for Damage Over Time.
Third, countering shield or Block units.
With \[Shorn Ones: Serrated Edge], their Block-breaking ability is even stronger.
Fourth, late-game brawls.
Stacking damage reduction from fallen unit members makes the Shorn Ones hard to wipe out quickly in the late game.
This is not a 5-Star unit that relies on Burst alone.
Its real focus is the two-phase combat rhythm driven by Sharpness:
When sharp, they deal Slashing Damage, Bleed, and AoE damage. As Sharpness drops, they switch to Blunt Damage, Control, and attrition.
If Warlords want a 5-Star unit that can join frontal battles, apply Sustained Suppression, and remain a threat in the late game, give the upcoming Shorn Ones a try!
